you said you would cut the deficit in half. it's still four years later, we still have a trillion dollar deficit. >> a roller coaster where for a long time it was thought to be a foregone conclusion the president would win. >> let's not. let's let him respond. >> while mitt romney came on strong, the president's lackluster performance, looking down, scowling, growling, left many democrats stunned. >> they all assumed the fetal position and sobbed in unison. that was terrible. it was hard to watch, but some of the analysis afterwards really exposed some deficiencies in the democratic machine. >> for the republicans, it was arguably the best moment of the whole year for their candidate. >> i don't think his campaign really kicked into high gear until that first debate when he started to get some momentum. >> unfortunately for romney -- ♪ here i am >> it was also the best wake-up call for president obama who came alive in the next two encounters. >> we have to reduce our deficit but we have to do it in a balanced way. >> worst n